Sensemaker

The finale of this year's awards season takes place this Sunday, with Hollywood's biggest stars gathering in LA for the 98th Academy Awards - also known as the Oscars. But how do Oscar campaigns impact who wins a golden statue? Writer, producer and Host: Casey MagloireEpisode photography: Sofia FentonExecutive Producer: Jasper Corbett Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As conflict continues in the Middle East, oil and gas prices have soared. What could that mean for the UK economy? Writer: Madeleine ParrProducer: Amalie SortlandHost: Ada BaruméEpisode photography: Joe MeeExecutive Producer: Jasper Corbett Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

BrewDog was once the craft beer industry's loudest voice. But last week it was sold to a US company, leaving nearly 500 people out of work. Writer: Poppy BullardProducer: Amalie SortlandHost: Ada BaruméEpisode photography: Joe MeeExecutive Producer: Jasper Corbett Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Home Secretary has announced a radical overhaul of the UK's asylum and immigration system. What is the government actually proposing?Writer: Serena CesareoProducer: Serena CesareoHost: Casey MagloireExecutive Producer: Jasper Corbett Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The influencer capital of the world has been the target of Iranian missiles as conflict has spread across the Middle East. How has it changed the content they post? Host: Casey MagloireWriter & Producer: Ada BaruméEpisode Photography: Joe MeeExecutive producer: Jasper Corbett Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

 President Trump has offered a range of explanations and justifications for the US and Israeli strikes on Iran in the past few days. Why are there mixed messages? Host: Ada BaruméWriter & Producer: Amalie SortlandEpisode Photography: Joe MeeExecutive producer: Matt Russell Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

An independent inquiry has revealed the scale - of inadequacy in NHS maternity and neonatal services in England – and the devastating emotional and psychological consequences suffered by families. After a series of scandals, what is the state of maternity care in the country?Writer: Serena CesareoProducer: Serena CesareoHost: Casey MagloireExecutive Producer: Jasper Corbett Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The man known as ‘Clavicular' has become the face of ‘looksmaxxing'. But where did this internet phenomenon come from?Watch Ben Zand's new documentary ‘Why Men Rent Girlfriends (Darker Than You Think)' HERE.Writer: Ada BaruméProducer: Amalie Sortland Host: Ada BaruméExecutive Producer: Jasper Corbett Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The US and Israel's strikes on Iran have triggered a conflict which is rapidly spreading across the Middle East. Writer: Poppy BullardProducer: Poppy BullardHost: Ada BarumeEpisode photography: Sofia FentonExecutive Producer: Matt Russell Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The man known as ‘El Mencho' headed up one of the world's most powerful cartels. What does his killing by the Mexican military mean for the country? Writer: Ada BaruméProducer: Ada BaruméHost: Casey Magloire Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How the fallout from a racial slur at this year's Bafta awards might change the public's perception of Tourette's syndrome.Writer: Casey Magloire and Amalie SortlandProducer: Amalie Sortland Host: Casey Magloire Episode photography: Sofia FentonExecutive Producer: Jasper Corbett Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The case of the Austrian climber who was found guilty of manslaughter after his girlfriend froze to death on Austria's highest mountain, has captivated the world's media. Writer: Poppy BullardProducer: Poppy BullardHost: Casey MagloireEpisode photography: Sofia FentonExecutive Producer: Matt Russell Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Youth unemployment in the UK is now higher than the European Union average for the first time since records began. Why are young people finding it so hard to get a job? Writer and producer: Jonathan LewisHost: Ada BaruméEpisode photography: Joe MeeExecutive Producer: Jasper CorbettThis episode is sponsored by Babbel. Get up to 60% off your Babbel subscription at babbel.com/sensemaker Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today, four years after Russia launched its full scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the war shows no sign of ending.Host: Casey MagloireWriter: Amalie SortlandProducer: Poppy BullardEpisode Photography: Joe MeeExecutive producer: Matt Russell Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The UK one-in-one-out deal with France to deter migrants from crossing the Channel on small boats entered into force last year. Since then, the deal has faced a number of legal challenges. Has the scheme been a success?Writer: Serena CesareoProducer: Serena CesareoHost: Casey MagloireExecutive Producer: Jasper Corbett Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, formerly known as prince Andrew, has become the first member of the royal family since Charles I. Host: Ada BaruméWriter & Producer: Amalie Sortland and Ada BaruméEpisode Photography: Joe MeeExecutive producer: Jasper Corbett Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After the deadly mass shooting at a school in British Columbia last week, gun control in Canada is under scrutiny.Host: Ada BaruméWriter: Amalie SortlandProducer: Jess SwinburneEpisode Photography: Joe MeeExecutive producer: Poppy Bullard Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

According to a King's College London report published last week the UK has been underreporting nitazene-related deaths by up to a third. Why has the UK become a hotspot for the extremely potent opioid?Writer: Jonathan LewisProducer: Jonathan LewisHost: Ada BaruméEpisode photography: Joe MeeExecutive Producer: Matt Russell Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Some areas of the UK have faced their wettest winters on record. Writer: Poppy BullardProducer: Poppy BullardHost: Ada Barumé Episode photography: Sofia FentonExecutive Producer: Matt Russell Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The recent sentencing of activist Jimmy Lai and the conviction of the father of activist Anna Kwok in the same week marks a new phase in China's crackdown on activists. How far is Beijing prepared to go to silence dissent?Writer: Jess SwinburneProducer: Jess SwinburnePhotography: Sofia FentonExecutive Producer: Matt Russell Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The recent release of Epstein files has sparked a fresh crisis over former Prince Andrew's links to Jeffrey Epstein.Host: Casey MagloireWriter & Producer: Amalie SortlandEpisode Photography: Sofia FentonExecutive producer: Matt Russell Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Last week an illegal waste dump was found on the outskirts of Liverpool. It's believed to be one of the biggest of its kind ever found in the UK. But who is behind it?Writer: Jonathan LewisProducer: Amalie SortlandHost: Ada BaruméEpisode photography: Sofia Fenton Executive Producer: Matt Russell Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Why the rising cost of repaying student debt could become a big problem for the government?Host: Casey MagloireWriter: Amalie SortlandProducer: Jonathan LewisEpisode Photography: Joe MeeExecutive producer: Jasper Corbett Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On Sunday night, one of the biggest stars in the world took over the Super Bowl Halftime show, but why was it so controversial? Writer: Casey MagloireProducer: Jess Swinburne Host: Ada Barume Episode photography: Joe MeeExecutive Producer: Matt Russell Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Top social media companies are facing allegations of designing their websites to be addictive. As the first case goes to trial, what is at stake?Host: Ada Barumé Writer & Producer: Madeleine ParrEpisode Photography: Joe MeeExecutive producer: Matt Russell Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The fallout from Peter Mandelson's friendship with Jeffrey Epstein is putting Prime Minister Keir Starmer under increasing pressure.Host: Ada Barumé Writer & Producer: Matt RussellEpisode Photography: Joe MeeExecutive producer: Jasper Corbett Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

There is a growing demand for surrogacy despite debates surrounding the ethics of it.Host: Casey MagloireWriter & Producer: Amalie SortlandEpisode Photography: Joe MeeExecutive producer: Matt Russell Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Waymo plans to roll out its driverless taxi service in London by the end of this year. But there are still obstacles the company needs to overcome to put autonomous vehicles on the road. Writer: Jonathan LewisProducer: Amalie SortlandHost: Casey MagloireEpisode photography: Joe MeeExecutive Producer: Jasper Corbett Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The assisted dying bill could be thrown out if it is not passed in the House of Lords by the end of this parliamentary session. Why is it taking so long to be voted through?Writer: Ada BaruméProducer: Jonathan LewisHost: Casey Magloire Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Pub-owners and Landlords have been campaigning for more action from the government since last November's budget when changes to business rates were announced. Writer: Poppy BullardProducer: Poppy BullardHost: Ada BarumeEpisode photography: Joe MeeExecutive Producer: Jasper Corbett Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Since the pandemic, online chess has seen an unprecedented rise in popularity. Now tensions are rising between new personalities and an old guard who want to protect the game's traditional format. Writer & Producer: Jonathan LewisHost: Ada BarumeEpisode photography: Sofia FentonExecutive Producer: Gary Marshall Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After a second civilian is killed by ICE agents in Minneapolis, pressure is mounting for a formal investigation into the shooting. Trump has recalled the senior border patrol commander in charge of the operation in Minneapolis, but does this represent a real scaling back of immigration enforcement in Minnesota?Writer: Madeleine ParrProducer: Madeleine ParrHost: Ada BaruméEpisode photography: Sofia Fenton Executive Producer: Jasper Corbett Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After widespread protests in Iran, the regime has reasserted control. Now, evidence showing the scale of the violence is starting to emerge. With America threatening military attack, will the Iranian regime be able to survive?Writer: Serena CesareoProducer: Amalie SortlandHost: Ada BaruméExecutive Producer: Gary Marshall Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Some 60 countries have been invited to join the Board, and each would have to pay a billion dollars if they want to become permanent members. Trump will be its inaugural Chairman, a position he can hold for life. Writer: Poppy BullardProducer: Poppy BullardHost: Casey Magloire Episode photography: Sofia Fenton Executive Producer: Jasper Corbett Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With a vote of support in the house of Lords, the government is under increasing pressure to ban social media for under 16s. But will Keir Starmer back a ban?Writer: Ada BaruméProducer: Ada BaruméHost: Casey Magloire : Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Smithsonian is the world's largest museum. It has been in Donald Trump's cross-hairs since the start of his second term, as he vows to kill off ‘woke'. How far will Donald Trump go in using the Smithsonian to rewrite American history?Writer: Jess SwinburneProducer: Amalie Sortland Photography: Joe MeeExecutive Producer: Jasper Corbett Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Diary of CEO host Steven Bartlett faced backlash online following an interview with Christopher Williamson where they hypothesise the reason for the declining birth rate. Is the birth rate declining and should we be concerned?Writer: Casey MagloireProducer: Ada BaruméHost: Ada BaruméEpisode photography: Joe MeeExecutive Producer: Gary Marshall Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

President Donald Trump's push to acquire Greenland is part of a growing quest for influence in the Arctic, the planet's coldest frontier, where Russia has interests in Norwegian archipelago Svalbard.Host: Casey MagloireWriter and Producer: Amalie SortlandEpisode Photography: Joe MeeExecutive producer: Gary Marshall Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, the government is expected to decide whether to approve plans for a new Chinese embassy in London. Critics warn it could be used for cyber attacks or as a base for espionage. Could it pose a threat to national security?Writer: Jonathan LewisProducer: Jonathan LewisHost: Ada BaruméEpisode photography: Sofia FentonExecutive Producer: Jasper Corbett Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tens of thousands of people in South East England have been without water for days. What's gone wrong and how much is the water company South East Water, to blame? Host: Casey MagloireWriter: Ada BaruméProducer: Amalie SortlandExecutive Producer: Jasper Corbett Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A year into Donald Trump's second term, the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement has become America's most powerful – and in some quarters most feared – federal agency. Writer: Serena CesareoProducer: Serena CesareoHost: Casey MagloireExecutive Producer: Jasper Corbett Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On the 8th of January, the Metropolitan Police released a report into failures in vetting and recruitment of officers involved in misconduct or criminal offences. Host: Ada BarumeWriter: Amalie SortlandProducer: Casey MagloireAdditional reporting: Madeleine Parr Episode Photography: Sofia Fenton Executive producer: Matt Russell Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.